Connecticut’s Senate by a 19-16 vote rejected Andrew McDonald’s nomination for Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.

The Hartford Courant reports all 18 Senate Republicans voted against McDonald and were joined by a moderate Democrat, Waterbury Senator Joan Hartley, who strongly supports the death penalty. She was concerned about McDonald’s vote to eliminate capital punishment.

The debate became heated on topics ranging from the death penalty to homophobia (really?!). McDonald is a homosexual and a critic of Catholics and social conservatives.

In a commentary, the Family Institute of Connecticut blasted so-called “Gay McCarthyism” mainly led by one of McDonald’s closest confidants, lame duck Governor Dan Malloy.

“Indeed, as the group that led the fight against same-sex marriage in this state, Family Institute of Connecticut knows better than anyone how bogus is the governor’s charge on this score. Believe us when we tell you, the Connecticut Republican Party could not care less about same-sex marriage”, the group said.

McDonald ‘s supporters claim his defeat shows homophobia on the part of those who voted against him. The group said nothing further from the truth.

“What it really shows is the limits of gay McCarthyism, even in the State of Connecticut. And it’s about time” FIC said.

Among the State Senators saying no was Greenwich’s Scott Frantz. The Stamford Advocate posted a statement from Frantz.

“I cast a ‘No’ vote regarding the nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald to become the chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, after he received an unfavorable report from the Judiciary Committee and the failure to achieve full support of his own party,” Frantz said.

He also said the review process “should be more than just a rubber stamp for any nominee, especially as it pertains to the nomination for chief justice.”